GY409 Half Unit
Globalisation and territorial development: Theory, Evidence and Policy
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof Michael Storper
Availability
This course is available on the MPhil/PhD in Economic Geography, MSc in City Design and Social Science, MSc in Development Management (Political Economy), MSc in Development Management (Political Economy) (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Environment and Development, MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change, MSc in Environmental Policy, Technology and Health (Environment and Development) (LSE and Peking University), MSc in Environmental Policy, Technology and Health (Environmental Economics and Climate Change) (LSE and Peking University), MSc in Human Geography and Urban Studies (Research), MSc in Innovation Policy, MSc in Local Economic Development and MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: Priority: MSc Local Economic Development then other students. Priority is typically for students enrolled in Geography and Environment programmes, or joint degree programmes, however course specific availability is indicated via the 'Availability section' on the LSE course guide webpages. Guidance on how to apply to individual controlled access courses can also be found on LSE for You in the Graduate Course Selection system.
Please note: The number of students that can be accommodated is limited. If a course is over-subscribed, places will be allocated at the Department's discretion and a waiting list may be created. It is advised to have an alternative course in mind as a back-up in case you are unable to secure your first-choice course selection.
Deadline for application: Further guidance and information on course selection for Geography and Environment courses (GY4xx) will be available on the Geography and Environment Course Selection Moodle page which will go live from Monday 8 September and will be updated with course availability information daily throughout the course selection period. This page includes information on the timeline for course selection decisions in the Geography and Environment Department as well as the individual course application processes and requirements
A list of all taught master's courses in this Department are listed on LSE's course guide webpages.
For queries contact: geog.led@lse.ac.uk
The number of students that can be accommodated is limited. If the course is over-subscribed, places will be allocated at the Department’s discretion and a waiting list may be created. For further details, please contact your relevant Programme Coordinator.
Course content
The economic geography of globalization, and examination of some of the principal effects of globalization on economic development of cities, regions and nations. Theories of regional economic development, location, and trade are applied to the contemporary process known as "globalization", and used to decipher this phenomenon and its effects on development, employment, and political institutions. A number of major issues for regional and industrial policy are considered, including trade, convergence/divergence, corporate power, knowledge and technology, governance, and inter-place competition.
Teaching
This course is delivered through a combination of lectures and workshops across Autumn Term.
This course includes a reading week in Week 6
Formative assessment
Students will be expected to participate in group work in the workshop sessions that take place every two weeks, using a combination of written presentations with written presentation slides, interactive games, and other methods used.
Indicative reading
P Aghion; J G Williamson, Growth, Inequality and Globalization, Cambridge University Press, 1998;
S Brakman, H Garretsen; C van Marrewijk, The New Introduction to Geographical Economics, Cambridge University Press, 2009;
G Clark, M Gertler; M Feldman (Eds), The Oxford Handbook of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, 2000;
C Crouch, P Le Galès, C Trigilia; H Voelzkow (Ed), Local Production Systems in Europe: Rise or Demise?
Oxford University Press, 2001;
J H Dunning (Ed), Regions, Globalization and the Knowledge-Based Economy, Oxford University Press, 2000;
P Krugman; M Obstfeld, International Economics: Theory and Policy, Harper-Collins, 1991; A Scott (Ed), Global City Regions, Oxford University Press, 2000;
M Storper, The Regional World: Territorial Development in a Global Economy, Guilford Press, 1997.
A number of more specialised texts will be recommended at the beginning of the course.
Assessment
Exam (100%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period
The exam is organised as a set of essay questions that reflect the content of lectures and readings in the course. Students are offered a choice of questions from which to select. The questions are generally offered in two or three groups, where students will select one question from each group of offered questions.
Key facts
Department: Geography and Environment
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 33
Average class size 2024/25: 33
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.